The volatile political atmosphere in Rivers may be stoked as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike allegedly fixed the burial of one of his core associates, the late Senator Barinada Mpigi to coincide with the burial of the former chairman of the state traditional rulers council, King Douglas Dandeson Jaja.
Late king Jaja until his death was also the king of Opobo kingdom, the home town of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
It was gathered that the burial date of King Jaja who died long before senator Mpigi was fixed much earlier than the remains of Mpigi were flown into the country from London.
However observers say the FCT Minister who is aware of the date already fixed for the king’s burial chose the same date for senator Mpigi’s burial too, just to diminish the glamour and followership that Governor Fubara’s presence would command in his village.
Interestingly, Koroma, the home town of Late Mpigi in Tai Local Government Area, is along the East-West Road on the way to Opobo. Many people may decide not to go a further distance to Opobo and stop over at Koroma to witness the senator’s burial especially as Wike who is almost acting as the chief mourner would be present and in his usual manner likely to cause a political stir.
It was learnt that the death of Senator Mpigi shook Wike to the marrows as the minister was reportedly positioning the late Senator as potential governorship candidate in lieu of Fubara in 2027.
On the other hand, King Danderson Jaja was equally close to Wike as it was the minister who appointed him as chairman of the traditional rulers council during his time as governor.
However Wike’s quarrel with Fubara whom the late king took as a son, coming from his domain in Opobo might have taken away the honor which the minister would have shown to the king as last respect.
Besides, it was learnt that the minister detests being in an environment where the governor’s presence would be acknowledged higher than him.
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It was further learnt that the clash in the burial date is an orchestrated plot by the minister to excuse himself from attending the king’s burial which is expected to be a state burial.
The burials all taking place today (Saturday) will once again highlight the two political divides in the state even though a peace deal is touted to have taken place.
While those who will find their way to Opobo will be seen as Fubara’s followers, those who will branch off at Koroma will be seen as Wike’s henchmen and women.
The Koroma burial will no doubt present the minister with another opportunity to throw jabs at Governor Fubara and make further projections ahead of the 2027 election in the state.
